Deforestation, urbanisation, unsustainable land use exacerbate climate-related disasters

Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director, ActionAid Association on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction:

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On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we should recognise how resilience building is the more forward-thinking and proactive strategy. Enhancing resilience focuses on creating more robust, more adaptable communities and systems, ultimately reducing the impact of disasters and promoting sustainable development.
The greater vulnerability of marginalised populations to disasters has been a long-standing issue, but today, several factors exacerbate the risk they face. Poverty and economic inequality remain pervasive, and the poor often lack the resources necessary to prepare for or recover from disasters.
The habitat of poor communities is mainly in areas with inadequate infrastructure, such as poorly constructed buildings, unreliable utilities, and substandard transportation. When disasters strike, these deficiencies magnify the impact and increase the likelihood of injury or death. They stay in environmentally vulnerable areas, such as floodplains or areas prone to drought, which makes them more susceptible to climate-related disasters. Deforestation, urbanisation, and unsustainable land use practices further exacerbate these vulnerabilities. Discrimination, social exclusion, and lack of access to education can further marginalise poor communities, making it difficult for them to advocate for their needs and rights in disaster response and recovery efforts. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, driven by climate change, have a disproportionate impact on the vast majorities who are least responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases and destruction of ecological resources.
The resilience-building approach seeks to address these vulnerabilities. Efforts involve poverty reduction, enhancement of sustainable livelihood and income-generating activities, and a comprehensive disaster preparedness and response strategy, which includes a comprehensive framework to compensate for loss and damages caused by climate change and slow and rapid onset disasters. By building resilience, we will be better equipped to face an increasingly complex and uncertain future.

To Sonam Wangchuk: 'Will undertake 70 hour solidarity fast in Gujarat'

By Martin Macwan * Dear Colleague Sonam Wangchuk, I have never met you personally. I wrote a short article at the time of your arrest. Your work correctly introduces you. There is truth in your words. You have embarked on a fast, following the footsteps of Gandhiji. Your intention is to make people think. Your demand is reasonable; I believe that the resignation of a single education minister will not improve the state of education in India. However, the question you have raised is extremely important for the future generation of the marginalized. Education is the key to power, development, and progress, which empowers a citizen.

Gujarat police SOP sparks questions over communal profiling

By Shabnam Hashmi* The Gujarat government must be held accountable for what appears to be a deeply disturbing instance of state-sponsored communal profiling. Ahmedabad resident Sahal Qureshi recently shared with me an official document , which I translated with the help of AI before forwarding it to several media organisations and political leaders.

US civil society coalition slams Hudson Institute for hosting RSS leaders

By A Representative The Hudson Institute ’s “New India Conference,” held on April 23, featured senior figures from India’s ruling political ecosystem, including RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and BJP foreign affairs head Vijay Chauthaiwale . The event also included U.S. officials and former diplomats such as Kurt Campbell, Kenneth Juster, and Nisha Biswal, alongside India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra.

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